Looking for some sofa advice

[Suzanne & Jack]

Need some advice on a new sofa.  To give some background, I have 3 relatively non-shedding dogs.  They don't chew or destroy furniture.  We are in the process of shopping for new family room furniture.  We currently have a sectional that is covered in denim, which is nice since we can take the covers off and wash them.  My DH is OCD and has severe allergies so he is always complaining about the sofa having dander on it (it does not).  He keeps towels on it where the dogs lay.  I am debating on leather or a slipcover fabric.  Also a full sectional or one with just a chaise at one end.  I thought the leather would be easier to keep clean and would eliminate the need for towels.  Our family room is about 16x16, but the ceiling is low (add on to an older home) and it has knotty pine panelling on one wall.  Any input would be appreciated

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

We have leather furniture too and love it.  You can paint the paneling if you hate it.  You don't have to strip it first, just wipe down with kliquid sandpaper.

[Bob Johnston]

doesnt leather show all the scratches thought from them jumping up and down, wrestling and the rare "oh I think I should try to make this more comfy by digging at it"

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

To me, that's part of the beauty of leather. I really like the distressed look. Cosmo doesn't dig, but he has scratched it a little and barfed on it twice. But you'd never know!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

LEATHER!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I wanted leather but the sales lady convinced me that microfiber would be easier to clean. So I went with the dark chocolate microfiber. Little did I know Winston would show up in my life a month later and shed his white fur like crazy all over my sofa, which actually acts like velcro for dog hair and is really hard to get it off, even with the vaccum. Don't make my mistake. Go leather!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

We just bought leather sofa + loveseat and they are great.  We got a dark reddish chocolate brown (colour called "raisin") to go with our grey walls.  

Keep the leather well conditioned (good sofa places will give you this for free when you buy yours) to prevent scratches!

[Suzanne & Jack]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  The votes are in and the obvious choice is leather.  Now I just have to find the right style.  Something with a deep enough seat that two big dogs can sprawl, but not too big for the room.  Sounds awful to be shopping for furniture that the dogs will be comfortable in.